On the eve of World Arthritis Day on Thursday, AIIMS doctors warned about the rise in autoimmune disorders in the city due to air pollution.

Highlights

1

It's World Arthritis Day today,

2

Pollution can raise autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

3

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory debilitating disease.

Delhiites can literally feel the effects of the city's toxic air in their bones. Doctors at AIIMS say there is a strong indication that pollution sparks a rise in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that has witnessed a 20 per cent surge in OPD cases at the institute with winter approaching.

On the eve of World Arthritis Day on Thursday, with the theme "It's in your hands, take action", doctors at AIIMS are raising awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and encouraging sufferers to take action and make a difference to the quality of life of people with RMDs.

The institute has witnessed over 24,000 cases of the disorder with a waiting period of six months for new patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory debilitating disease triggered by a complex interaction involving genetic and environmental factors that cause the body's immune system to mistakenly attack the joints.

A study was conducted on AIIMS patients suffering from the condition and correlated with air quality and data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The findings showed that when particulate matter was high, prevalence of the disease was more in patients.

"We collected the data of air quality from IMD in New Delhi for the past few years and co-related with the patients who got the treatment here. It found that when the particulate matter in air was high, then more disease activity was found in the patients," said Dr Uma Kumar, professor & head of the rheumatology department at AIIMS. "Thus, air pollution is not only responsible for respiratory diseases, but it also contributes to the autoimmune diseases," said Dr Kumar, adding that post Diwali celebrations, symptoms of the disease worsen in patients.

The Capital's air quality has been rated one of the worst in the world by international agencies including WHO, with millions of vehicles, factories, construction sites as well as burning crop stubble from neighbouring states belching out clouds of tiny PM2.5 particles that can be most harmful to health. Because of rheumatoid arthritis, a state of ongoing inflammation in the body leads to premature atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), hypertension, coronary artery disease as well as cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) and reduces the life span of a patient by 10 years.

The disorder causes significant disability and family burden. A study done on 300 patients suffering with RA and diabetes showed that every three out of five patients had moderate to severe disease activity.

"Patients were from 18-60 age group who were living with caregivers. The disease burden was found more in RA patients, which is statistically significant," informed Dr Kumar.